Highlights of Southern Spain Tour: Madrid to Malaga

In the morning, as castanets echo in the distance, you will meet your private guide in front of your accommodation for a tour of many of the city's best and boldest highlights. If you have heard that all roads lead to Rome, then perhaps you have not heard Madrid's version of the story. You will set off just beyond your hotel at the Plaza del Sol, which is otherwise known as Kilometer 0 and from which all major highways in Spain originate. As the clock tower of Puerta del Sol chimes on the hours, Madrilenos are reminded of a Spanish New Year's tradition, in which families celebrate the Twelve Grapes of the new year as the famous clock strikes midnight.

Next, you will continue to the skyscrapers and flashing lights of Gran Via, which is Madrid's shopping mecca. You can peruse lavish shops and take pictures along this hectic avenue. Then, you will transform into royalty as you enter the gates of the Royal Palace, which is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Throughout the afternoon, you will tour the ornate, gold-leafed halls of this opulent edifice. Then, you will step outside the palace walls to tour the meticulously manicured gardens that are complete with elegant white statues, tepid water basins, and beautifully formed hedges.

Later this afternoon, you will cross town to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, where you can see the extensive art collections of the famed Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, including Picasso's original Guernica. In the evening, you will wander through the beautiful Parque El Retiro. The scenic rose gardens and grassy green pastures offer residents a respite from the concrete jungle of city life. Horse and buggy carriages will clop along the boulevards of Paseo de la Argentina and Avenida de Mexico, and you can step inside a charming paddle boat to glide along Retiro Pond and admire the charming foliage at every turn.

Today, you will venture to the sunny city of Cordoba. The Guadalquivir River hugs the downtown and offers relief from the steamy Andalucian sun. Step back in time as you discover the captivating history of Cordoba's diverse religious influences. A tour of the downtown will lead you on the narrow streets and past white facades of the Jewish Quarter. Nearby, at the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, you can behold the exquisite Moorish baths and tranquility of the palace gardens.

You will enjoy an eclectic mid-day meal that features Spanish, North African, and Jewish cuisines before indulging in a delicious vegetarian eggplant or mouth-watering curry that is infused with local saffron and other spices.

In the evening, you will make your way to La Mezquita or The Mosque at river's edge. People from all around the world travel to see this curious fusion of mosque and cathedral. As you enter the UNESCO World Heritage site with your private guide, you will walk under grand archways that are vibrantly adorned with white and red stripes, flanked with beautiful gold leaf, and decorated with intricately tiled floors. Once you have explored the Mosque’s perimeter, you will venture inside the cathedral. As you delve deeper, your guide will explain to you the fascinating history of the space that has changed hands between Catholic and Muslim communities since the year 784 AD.

This morning, you will board your private transfer and arrive in the boisterous city of Sevilla a few hours later. You can spend the day in the sun as you bask in the rich history and cultural heritage.

First, you will uncover one of the city's most prized gems when you arrive at the Plaza de España. This opulent gathering space, constructed for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, towers at the center of the beautiful Parque de Maria Luisa. As a group, you can enjoy a scenic ride through the extensive plaza area in a horse-drawn carriage. You will trot along the elegantly patterned brick and curve around the shimmering central fountain. After a short stroll, you can enjoy a tranquil boat ride around the plaza's castle-like moat.

Later, gaze toward the electric blues, reds, and oranges of Triana, which is the city's old quarter. Soon, you will come to the Torre del Oro, or "Tower of Gold." This military lookout tower, which dates back to the 13th century, was once used as a prison. The tower is divided into three levels and was constructed by Muslim and Catholic rulers over a period of more than five hundred years. It was partially rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in Lisbon in 1755.

As the sky softens with sunset hues and a light breeze rolls in, you will wind down with a refreshing glass of vino tinto. You can pair your drink with the city's best assortment of tapas at an outdoor cafe in downtown Sevilla and choose from local favorites like the jamon iberico, which is Spain's famous cured ham, croquetas, which are crunchy fried rolls that are stuffed with chicken, vegetables, cheese, potatoes, or a delightful mix of all four.

Today, you will wake with a milky cup of cafe con leche on the balcony of your hotel. You can listen to the early morning chatter of adjacent shop owners and the revving of engines as motorcyclists ride down narrow streets.

You will meet your private guide at your hotel entrance as you meander through the open-aired plazas, past ornate apartment balconies, and amid intoxicating smells of Sevilla's beautiful orange trees. Soon, you will come to the Royal Alcazar, which is an aesthetically inspiring blend of Spanish aesthetics and Moorish architecture. You can walk under the shady palm trees in the courtyard and scale the steps of the palace exterior for a grand view of the extensive gardens. Intricate wood carvings embellish each doorway, and tranquil fountains create a calming atmosphere.

In the afternoon, you will visit the massive Cathedral, which for nearly one thousand years, was known as the largest cathedral in the world. Today, the church is a frenzy of activity in the heart of the old district. Street vendors offer up wide smiles and colorful souvenirs, while flamenco dancers wear bright polka dresses, tight braids, and paper fans as they tap their feet and click their heels in time with guitar and castanet syncopation.

Later, you will enter the grand bullfighting stadium. Here, you will meet a real-life matador and learn about their colorful costumes. You will also dig deeper into the cultural significance of the bullfights that are still celebrated in the south of Spain. For those who wish, you will also have the opportunity to witness a live bullfighting show in the evening.

Shops sell fresh saffron to entice passersby to stop for a bite to eat. Meanwhile, passionate flamenco ballads and effervescent street shows take center stage. In the distance and above Plaza Nueva sits Granada's most valuable jewel of La Alhambra, which is an exquisite Moorish palace dating back to 889 AD.

You will begin your day with a tour of Granada's cathedral. Then, you will follow your guide through the luscious greenery at Plaza Trinidad and Plaza de los Lobos as you meander down cobblestone streets and around magnificent fountains. You will circle around to the Alcaiceria, which is a traditional Moorish marketplace that is teeming with activity. Beautifully carved archways mark each vendor's stall, and inside, shoppers are on the hunt for the perfect pair of shiny earrings, purses, large tapestries, and authentic Moroccan and Turkish metal lanterns. You can continue along Calle Elvira, which is also famed for its Moroccan-style shops and teterias or tea houses where you can relax with the soothing flavors of a milky chai tea.

At sunset, you will climb the hills of Granada's gypsy neighborhoods, which are known as Albaicin and Sacromonte. You will weave along the enchanting white stucco homes and listen to the staccato beats of flamenco dancers as they clap their dance shoes around every unassuming corner. At last, you will reach the panoramic lookout that is known as Mirador San Nicolas. From here, you can fully take in the city's unparalleled views and the snowcapped Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lastly, you will partake in a late tapas dinner with a cold caña or glass of vino tinto as you look out on the starry night sky.

Your second day in Granada will bring you to the majestic palace of La Alhambra, which was deemed the last standing stronghold of the Moorish Empire. You will meet your private guide in front of your hotel for a spectacular tour of the palace grounds and surrounding gardens before boarding a private transport for a short, but steep climb up scenic streets that are lined with quaint coffee shops and vivacious street vendors.

You will begin your tour at the Patio del Mexuar, which is the oldest section of the Nasrid Palaces and situated beside the elegant Cuarto Dorado or the "Golden Chamber," which is considered to have the most beautiful facades in all of the palace. Later, you will venture inside the Court of Myrtles, which is a beautiful inner atrium that features an iridescent central water basin and is flanked by exquisitely manicured foliage. Finally, you can look up at the ethereal ceiling of the Sala de los Embajadores. Bright light will stream in through more than 150 unique patterns, including religious inscriptions, geometric shapes, and floral details that are etched into the rooftop.

Next, you will tour the impeccable gardens of Generalife, which span from the palace walls to the rocky hillside below, where you can listen for the steady spurts of fountain water that create perfect arches along the central water basins. Sing-song birds will enchant you as you stroll through a beautiful array of terraces, bright floral arrangements, and towering cypress trees.

In the evening, you will return to Granada, where you will have the unique experience of bathing in traditional Moorish-style baths, which are known as Hammams. You can slip down into the steamy waters of this underground bathing spa and sit on a tiled ledge for a relaxing cup of Turkish tea. Then, you will indulge in a soothing massage of traditional oils and aromas before retiring to the comforts of your accommodation.

In the morning, you will get some fresh air as you travel to the countryside, where you will meet your guide and board private transport as you set out for the charming towns that are dotted along the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which are known as Las Alpujarras.

First, you will arrive in the town of Pampaneira. This quaint town hugs the side of a steep river gorge and looks out towards the valley below. Tourists and locals alike flock here for scenic views and tranquility, and small shops sell fine pottery and textiles. You will embark on a short hike from Pampaneira to the beautiful views of Bubion. Next, you will stop for lunch at the sunny central square for a hearty authentic Alpujarreño meal, consisting of potatoes, chorizo, eggs, green pepper, and onion. Of course, the meal would be incomplete without a stop at the famed chocolate shop around the corner that will have you biting into a delicious raspberry and dark chocolate medley or a delicious banana-infused chocolate bar. Finally, you will travel to Capileira to sample the most decadent ham in all of Spain. This perfectly cured pork is cut into thin slices and exquisitely paired with cream cheeses and savory rosemary.

In the evening, as you return to Granada, you will experience an authentic flamenco show. You will meet your guide at your hotel and travel by foot to the dinner and dance performance in a traditional gypsy residence. Here, you will delight in the cracking of castanets, fervent stomping, and the impassioned cries of traditional ballads that echo from the stucco caves of Sacromonte. You will enjoy a delicious meal of regional savory flavors as you watch the effortless blend of dancer and musician.

Today, you will journey from the rocky mountain tops of Granada to the seaside oasis in Malaga. This coastal city offers an alluring respite from the hot sun at one of the dozens of turquoise-blue beaches.

You will begin your day with a bit of history at the Alcazaba of Malaga, where you will wind past the city's Plaza de Toros and ascend to this impressive ancient fortress. Ferdinand and Isabella took control of the Alcazaba from the Moors during the Reconquista, and today, the site is a testament to Christian and Moorish intertwined innovation and is considered the best-preserved in all of Spain. You will begin at the outer courtyards of the Outer Citadel, which will be adorned with opulently tiled floors, tranquil fountains, and carefully coiffed foliage. Then, you will enter the Inner Citadel and marvel at the captivating stonework on the ceiling as sunlight streams through with intricate patterns.

In the afternoon, you will receive your ticket to the Picasso Museum. The world-renowned artist was born in the city of Malaga, which remains an exuberant point of pride for locals. Picasso's family has donated much of his work over the years, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics. After touring the museum, you will venture to Plaza de La Merced, where you will have a unique chance to view Picasso's childhood home.

In the evening, you can loosen up along the beach for your last night on an unforgettable trip to Spain. You can meander along Malaga's port and stroll on pristine beaches. You can also crunch into fried boquerones or anchovies and a side of juicy green olives that are harvested on the outskirts of the city.

As the sun begins to rise, you can dip your toes into the sandy ocean water as you look out at the sleepy city in the distance. You will delight in a light breakfast at an open-aired cafe in the city center, where you can chat with local as you reminisce about a trip gone by too quickly.

By mid-morning, your private transport will greet you in front of your hotel, and you will soon arrive at Malaga's international airport for your return flight home. As you stand at your gate waiting to board, you will be reminded of your flight into Spain and the friendly faces that welcomed you. Once you have stowed your luggage and buckled your seatbelt, you will get one last glimpse out the side window of Spain's sparkling coastlines and looming mountain peaks.